The Athens public transport organisation OASA on Wednesday announced plans to introduce an alternative procedure for the issue of personalised electronic travel cards, or athenacards. The new procedure, available from next Monday, aims to speed up the process and eliminate the long queues of commuters waiting to replace their old paper cards with the new electronic version, reducing waiting times for the public.

From Monday, holders of full-price monthly travel cards will be able to apply for the new electronic cards (which will be needed when the new ticket barriers go into operation) at all ticket offices on metro lines 1, 2 and 3, submitting an open envelope containing the supporting documents and other items needed.

These will include:

One passport or ID photograph

A photocopy of a document certifying the applicant’s AMKA (social security number)

A photocopy of the old travelcard and the October travel coupon, or other coupon issued in 2017

A printout of the application and QR code issued via the OASA website www.athenacard.gr

The name of the applicant and the address where the new electronic card should be sent must be written on the outside of the envelope, which will be used to post the card to the applicant once it is issued.

Once the new card has arrived in the post, the card holder will be able to load their card and buy any fare products needed at the automated ticket-vending machines in all stations and selected locations in Athens. More information on specific locations is available via the athenacard web-page.